Latest briefing reveals clear connection between justice involvement and low educational attainment; targeted interventions outlined in report.
Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has announced the release of the next iteration of the Opportunity Data Project, a collaborative effort with data science firm Common Good Labs. This fifth briefing offers insights from one of the nation’s largest and most unique local data sets into the connections between justice-involved individuals and their pathway in the K-12 educational systems in East Baton Rouge Parish. The briefing is available at opportunityBTR.org/disrupting-crime.
Five clear signals have emerged to help identify increased likelihood of future violence involvement: Chronic absenteeism in elementary and middle school, behavioral incidents in elementary and middle school, low readiness for kindergarten, not reading at basic level in third through fifth grades, and not performing math at basic level in middle school. While the presence of these five indicators do not mean a child will grow up to commit a crime, those who ended up committing violent crimes were more likely to display some or all of the aforementioned traits.
Other Key Findings:
- The majority of adults convicted of homicide in EBR in the last ten years were men between 18 and 29 years old.
- Over 80% of the young men convicted of homicide in the parish grew up in East Baton Rouge and attended school in the EBR Parish School System.
- Around 70% of those local young men did not graduate from high school.
- At least 60% of them grew up in areas with high rates of poverty and low opportunity. Residents in these communities are more likely to be exposed to hazards early in childhood, experience housing insecurity, and experience violence.
- Analysis reveals that targeted intervention with about 400 students per grade (Grades 1-8) each academic year could significantly disrupt the cycle of violent crime in our community.
This briefing draws from one of the largest local education datasets in the U.S., spanning over 15 years. Data was provided by EBRPSS and the EBR District Attorney’s Office, which allowed Common Good Labs and BRAF to analyze educational outcomes and the relationship with patterns of violent crime.
“This unique analysis gives us new insights into understanding the needs of our community and targeted interventions to improve educational and public safety outcomes. Community leaders, educators, and policymakers can use these findings to work together to target tutoring, summer employment opportunities, and mental health supports that are effective for increasing academic performance and disrupting violent crime,” said Chris Meyer, president and CEO of BRAF.
“We are at a defining moment for Baton Rouge. Through community-level data analysis, we can now better understand the drivers of community safety and identify how future civic initiatives can be most effective in supporting the needs of our region,” said Eric Dexter, Vice President of Civic Leadership Initiatives. “This new briefing provides a roadmap for transformative change in the parish by identifying those with the highest need and outlining specific ways to support them.”
The Opportunity Data Project is an innovative initiative that leverages advanced data science to drive greater economic opportunity and advance BRAF’s Opportunity Agenda. By using cutting-edge data analysis, BRAF and Common Good Labs are gaining a comprehensive understanding of the systemic challenges in Baton Rouge, allowing for more strategic social and philanthropic efforts that create pathways to economic mobility and long-term prosperity.
Visit opportunityBTR.org to read all available briefings and learn more about the Opportunity Data Project.
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About the Baton Rouge Area Foundation: Among the largest community foundations in the country, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation has sought to improve the quality of life in greater Baton Rouge and across south Louisiana since 1964.
The Foundation pursues its mission by serving donors to build the assets that drive initiatives and solutions, supporting local nonprofits to ensure overall impact and sustainability, engaging community leaders to develop appropriate responses to emerging opportunities and challenges, and by partnering with others to leverage collective resources and create the capacity to be a stimulus of positive regional change.
For more information, visit BRAF.org.